Police Detectives Go Back to List Conduct investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.

Tasks
	Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons.
	Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
	Obtain evidence from suspects.
	Provide testimony as a witness in court.
	Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
	Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
	Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
	Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
	Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
	Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Knowledge
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.   Related Experience:   Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $100,361.00 $48.25  $36.61  $40.61 - $48.87  Bridgeport/Stamford $101,667.00 $48.87  $41.83  $46.27 - $47.77  Hartford $94,968.00 $45.65  $34.83  $37.36 - $48.26  New Haven $118,035.00 $56.74  $39.09  $42.85 - $75.79  New London/Norwich $99,619.00 $47.89  $36.50  $39.79 - $51.35

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   67   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.

Related Occupations
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	Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
	Police Patrol Officers

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.